Women's Water Polo Takes 5th Place in SCC

The Pasadena City College women's water polo team completed a successful 14-12 season Saturday by clinching fifth place at the South Coast Conference Championship Tournament. The Lancers defeated East Los Angeles in the fifth place final, 11-3.

PCC (4-5 in all SCC play) lost a tough defensive battle against tourney host Cerritos, 4-2, on Friday that ended its chances for a higher finish. 

In the ELAC victory, team captain Ariahn Givens scored four goals to overtake freshman Kyrsten Proctor for the Lancers goals scoring title with 60. Givens added a season-high 11 steals that capped her PCC playing career as the program's all-time steals leader with 273. Her 147 steals this year is a new single-season record.

Goalie Clarque De Young finished with 205 saves in 25 games as the Lancers had their best defensive season in their history. PCC allowed an average of just 7.24 goals per game with help from De Young, Givens, and Proctor. De Young registered three shutouts in goal. Proctor finished second on the team in goals (58) and steals (70) and led PCC in assists with 38. 

"Givens had a spectacular season and her overall play was a big reason why we had a great year in the pool," said PCC head coach Terry Stoddard. "We have a really good base to build on for next season with DeYoung and Proctor along with Irma Sarac. This year's team followed the plan. We limited the number of counter attacks and shut down teams from getting breakaways and easy chances."

Sarac added 46 goals, 24 assists and 47 steals. Sophomore Sharon Perez was another effective starter as she Ariahn Givensals, 25 assists and 36 steals. 

[Photo--Ariahn Givens set several PCC records as she finishes her 2-year career in water polo, image by Richard Quinton.]